CHUGIAK DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION
General Meeting – March 2, 2005
7 pm at the clubhouse, Beach Lake Sled Dog Trails
Hotline: 689-7899

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 pm.
Minutes from the February 16 meeting were read and approved. The treasurer’s report has not changed since February 2nd’s report.

Board Elections:
Several people have volunteered to run for the Board of Directors, including Barb Johnson, Don Keller, Ellie Claus, Tim Forbus, and Shirley Gavin. If anyone else wishes to run or nominate someone, please contact Val Jokela, Harold Capps, or Ron Kilian. Ballots need to be distributed ten days before the vote.

Dixie moved that an election meeting be scheduled for Wednesday, March 30th. Carole Comeau seconded the motion and the motion was passed. If anyone is unable to attend that meeting to cast a vote, please be sure that your ballot is returned to the club before March 30th.

Races:
A full weekend of races is scheduled. The Eagle River Classic will be about 13.5 miles each day, using the 12-mile and Beach Lake. The 6-dog will use Beach Lake as well.

Currently 11 businesses are signed up for the Businessperson’s Race. Dixie moved that the club use the income from the first 10 businessperson’s entries plus $1,000 to comprise the Eagle River Classic purse, for a total of $2,500, to allow the purse breakdown to be determined ahead of time. Harold seconded the motion and the motion was passed unanimously. The remaining businessperson’s entry fees will go into the club coffers to cover expenses associated with the races. Jo will develop the breakdown of the purse payout.

Dixie has race tickets ready thanks to Jim Welch who printed and cut the tickets. Dixie also has plenty of items for the Chinese auction at the banquet, plus several silent auction items including a wall hanging donated by the Van Zyle’s. The Van Zyle’s requested that the proceeds from this item go to the Juniors.

On Friday night, there will be a bib draw at 7pm for both races (Businessperson’s and Classic). Brenda Keller volunteered to pick up refreshments for the event.

New Business:
A club member asked if the club has a written policy about skijoring on the trails. Someone else mentioned that the use agreement with the Muni says that the trails are exclusively for dog mushers. The club discussed the need to post something about skijoring use but no definitive answer was determined. Several members mentioned that a more pressing issue was pedestrians with loose dogs on the trail. Please remind folks that this is not an appropriate use of the mushing trails, and a hazard for all concerned!

The Mushing 36 will be held March 12th. The entry fee is $10 plus club membership if not already a member. Prizes will be merchandise and gift certificates. The Junior Classic will be March 13th.

Meeting adjourned 7:37pm.

Don Keller presented an education program about Rolfing for dogs. Thank you to Don for the outstanding information!

Next Meeting:

The next board meeting will be Wednesday, March 9th. The next general meeting will be Wednesday, March 30th, at 7pm at the clubhouse. Note: The meeting on the 30th has been specially scheduled to accommodate the Board Elections. There will be no general meeting on March 16th because of this change.